Wrench



7 May 7, 1929. .1. w. SAFFOLD WRENCH Filed Aug, 4, 192

I INVENTOR.

2T Ewes M655 5 7 Aria/3%? Patented May 7, 19223.

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WEBB SAFFOLD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

"WRENCH.

Application filed August 4, 1926.

tion of the parts so that they maybe re-engaged in locking relationfor movement in either direction. The invention also contemplates the use of a socket of SLllllClGllt width and height to receive within the samethe upper portion of an automobile spark plug. it also includes the provision of a plurality of adjusting elements whereby the effective aperture of the nut engaging portion of the wrench may be quickly varied adapt the same for use upon various standard nut sizes. T he invention also includes the provision of a handle which may be folded into close relation to the body portion of the wrench. It also includes the adaptation of the device for use as part of a standard socket wrench set providin thus a ratchet operating section for the same.

Socket wrenches heretofore provided have had separate parts which would have to be substituted in order to adapt the wrench for various sizes. In the present invention the body portion is of suflicient width to receive within the same, the projecting portion of a spark plug or similar object, and in addition carries with it a plurality of slides which permit the effective opening at the base to be varied, instantaneously to such standard sizes as are used. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. I I

The annexed: drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section showing a wrench made in accordance with the principles of my invention adapted for use as a spark plug wrench; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Fig.

. 1; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the upper portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a view partly M in section of a modified form of wrench con- Serial No. 126,952.

structed in accordance with the principles of my invention showing beneath the same an attachment adapting the device for a variety of sizes.

its is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the preferred form of my device comprises a sleeve 1 of hexagonal tubing provided with central slots 2 on three of its sides, and carrying in spring pressed relation against such sides, a plurality of plates 3, 4-, 5 of graduatedthickness. The plates are mounted uponpins 6 passing through apertures therein, which pins have buttons 7 at their outer ends and screw heads 8 at their inner ends against which screw heads coiled springs are adapted to hear. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with screw-threaded apertures 11 through which set screws 12 are adapted to be engaged for a purpose present ly to be described. The handle portion of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 3 comprises a boss 13 of solid metalhaving a hexagonal outline similar tothat of the tubular bottom member and having a cylindrical central extension or stem portion 14 projecting from the lower face thereof which terminates in a flange 15 spaced from said lower face. The screw studs heretofore referred to are adapted to be engaged within the space thus provided between the lower face of the boss and the upper faceof the flange as is clearly shown in Fig. l. lhe studs thus provide for a slight rangeof telescopic movement between the sleeve and the boss. When the boss is in its upward position, its hexagonal portion will clear the upper edge of the sleeve and the flange will prevent complete disengagement of, the parts, such positionbeing clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. WVhen the boss is in its lower position, as is shown in Fig. 1, the handle portion of the device is locked to the sleeve so that turning movement of the wrench may be brought about. The handle portion proper comprises a bar 16 of L-shape which extends through a transverse aperture 10 through the boss and is formed with a head 17 at its other endto prevent disengagement. The shorter length 'of the L-shaped bar is of sufficient extent to permit the handle to be turned to a position parallel to the body portion of the wrench, and is formed with a shoulder to prevent sliding"movement through the boss. The

construction just described is adapted to opcrate as follows:

With the slides in theirjupward position I I the effective opening at the base of the wrench is equal to the large standard size nut for which the wrench is adapted to operate. hen the next larger size to be engaged, the thinnest of the slide members is forced downwardly by means of its button and the effective distance between the inner faces of the wrench are then exactly suitable to engage two faces of that size nut. Similarly, when the thinner slide is moved upwardly, and the intermediate slide moved downwardly, the next smaller size nut may be engaged and when the intermediate slide is moved up wardly and the thickest slide is moved clownwardly, the smallest size nut for which the apparatus is designed, may be engaged.

When the slides are adjusted to the proper size the tightening or unscrewing movement of the wrench is brought about by the simple expedient of swinging the handle to a position at right angles with the body portion, as shown in Fig. 3, and moving it in the proper direction of rotation. After the full arc of movement has been made, the head is lifted in the manner disclosed in Fig. 3 and the boss is engaged in the upper end of the sleeve in a new position when the body portion of the wrench is again moved in the same direction as that first mentioned. Thus operation is repeated after the manner of a ratchet movement until the nut has been tightened or loosened to the extent desired. In place of using a tubular body portion of adequate size to receive a spark plug head or similar projecting portion, the wrench may be formed in the manner disclosed in Fig. 4, wherein a nonfoldable handle 21 is engaged within a front body section 22 of hexagonal shape. The handle, as illustrated, is of hexagonal cross section and has an upward inclination toward the vertical portion thereof in order to clear objects adjacent the nut or bolt to be operated on, and at the same time to be in perfectmechanical balance. The front vertical hexagonal portion of the handle 23 has a cylindrical extension 24 terminating in a flange 25 similar to that upon the boss heretofore described. The circular flanged portion is of a size to rotate freely within the hexagonal opening of the body portion without allowing too much play. The parts are held in operative relation by means of a pair ofpins 26 driven through aligned apertures in the manner shown in Fig. 1, with the free ends of said pins projecting in the space between the flange and the base of the handle portion. The lower end of the body portion is formed of any desired standard effective width such as for a one-half inch nut. Where other sizes of nuts are to be engaged, a socket set having elements of the character illustrated in the lower portion of Fig. 4: may be provided,

such elements are formed with a socket portion 27 of the desired diameter and a short stub shank portion 28 associated therewith. The shank portion carries the usual ball detents 29 which are seated in recesses above coiled springs (not shown) and are prevented from projecting too greatly by means of the pressed in upper edge of such recess.

It is obvious that the wrench illustrated in Fig. 4 will have a ratchet action in either direction by simply lifting the handle from time to time to engage the hexagonal. portion of the handle with the hexagonal recess of the b0( v orticn in a new position in the manner described in connection v-Iith the form of device shown in Figs, 1 ans 3. The ban: dle in the device shown in i is not foldable, but inasmucl the body portion of the device is of extremely short extent, such feature is unnecessary. Where a size of opening other than that provided for the base of the body portion is desired, it is a simple matter to insert within the same, the extension unit, fr in the wrench set, of the proper size.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such. stated means be employed.

1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my inventionx i l. A wrench comprisinga sleeve portion and a handle portion, said sleeve being formed of a length of tubular stock of polygonal cross section, the inner surface of the uper end of which is adapted to cooperate with a correspondingly polygonal shaped end on said handle portion, and the inner surface of the lower end of which is adapted to receive the head of a belt or nut, and means associated with said handle and sleeve portions respectively for preventing the full separation of said parts, said means permitting said handle to be partially retracted from said sleeve to allow relative rotation thereof;

2. A wrench comprising a sleeve portion and a handle portion, said sleeve being formed of a length of tubular stock of poly onal cross section, the inner surface of the upper end of which is adapted to cooperate with a correspondingly polygonal shaped end on said handle portion, and the inner surface of the lower end of which is adapt ed to receive the head of a bolt or nut, means associated with said handle and sleeve portions respectively for preventing the full separation of said parts, and a plurality of slides within the nut engaging end of said sleeve, said slides comprising rectangular plates of varying thickness, and means engaging said slides with the interior of said sleeve for relative adjustment therewith.

Signed by me this July 31, 1926.

' JAMES WEBB SAFFOLD. 

